Education: Key To The Survival Of Our Society

The education of our citizens is the most effective way to be certain that we all understand our place in global humanity and appreciate the world around us.

A well-rounded education is worth the investment.

Art and music help us appreciate the beauty around us and allow us alternative ways to express ourselves.

Studying spelling and grammar ensure that we will be taken more seriously when we present our opinions on matters in a clear and concise way.

World Religions class gives us insight into beliefs that are different from our own. This insight shows us that we are more alike than we are different. The highest goal is to be a good person and to be kind to others.

English class has us reading and reading and reading some more. Through books, we are exposed to new words, new ideas and new horizons.

Writing term papers teaches us how to research issues. We learn how to find sources and, more importantly, how to vet sources. What can we believe? What are the facts and what is embellished opinion?

Consumer Education and Life Skills classes teach us what we need to know to responsibly handle such real-life necessities as banking, mortgages, home buying, credit cards, insurance and all the other matters that are part of a grown-up’s life.

Math – think you don’t really need it? We should be thankful that some folks study math so that our buildings and bridges don’t fall down around us, the recipes we make turn out reasonably well and we can send spacecraft into the galaxy to study universe beyond our little planet. Just to name a few…

Science teaches us about the important balance between our actions and our environment and how our carelessness can threaten that balance.

Social Studies isn’t just learning about the currency and exports of countries around the world. It’s learning about what makes different societies tick. What are their people like? What is their place in the world economy? With knowledge comes understanding.

Geography helps us study the relationships between countries. Some neighbors get along, some don’t. It lets us know, quite literally, where we exist in relation to the rest of the world.

World History informs us about the development of nations around the world. We learn about their challenges and triumphs, their mistakes and the impact those mistakes have had on mankind, the ways in which their society has progressed and the warning signs that signal trouble.

Studying World History also highlights that education is something which has not been afforded to the people of all societies. Sadly, many countries still censor or simply don’t allow their citizens to be educated.

The right to an education is something we should never take for granted.

U.S. History tells the story of the birth and growth of our country. We learn about the fierce struggle for our independence and how our Founding Fathers created this beautiful republic out of nothing but the sheer will to have self-determination and be free from tyrants.

An education in U.S. History makes sure that we don’t forget our darkest period when a civil war – brother fighting against brother – threatened to destroy us.

We learn about the other wars in which brave men and women have fought to protect and defend our lives, our land, our freedom. And we accept the shame that these soldiers have not always been duly appreciated for their service.

It reminds us that, time and time again, courageous citizens have stepped up to risk their lives to right the societal wrongs of racism, sexism, xenophobia, religious discrimination, homophobia, and intolerance in any form.

It forces us to face the reality that it has taken us a very long time to begin to live up to the ideal upon which our country was built: that all men (and women) are created equal. We still have plenty of work to do on that.

We are not a perfect union but we need only remember that, for centuries, America has been seen as the land of opportunity and, most of all, freedom. Millions long to be citizens of our country for the blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The study of U.S. Government teaches us intricacies of our republic – how we are governed, how laws are made, how the separation of powers guards against the tyranny of rogue leaders. Our system as spelled out in the Constitution has stood the test of time. While it doesn’t often run smoothly, its design encourages and even depends upon cooperation, conciliation and a desire to achieve the greater good.

Perhaps one of the most important things we learn from the study of U.S. Government is the importance of every individual in determining the course of progress for our country. Our right to vote is a privilege that many around the world lack and should be one of our most cherished freedoms.

Education is key to the survival of our society because it opens our minds and encourages us to understand our responsibilities as citizens of the world.

Above all, it reminds us how incredibly lucky we are to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Comments

One of the pleasures of having kids is getting an elementary school education again! I’m learning and re-learning a lot as my kids go through each grade and we talk/share/help.Katy recently posted…10 Reasons I Watch Christmas Movies in November

I love the breakdown of different subjects we study/studied and why they’re important. I loved school…all the way from kindergarten through my Master’s work. It’s why I became a teacher. Education is essential to an understanding of the world and our place in it. Thanks for this roundup.Barbara recently posted…Parting Thoughts

Our right to vote is a privilege not to be taken for granted…. true but oh so very sad.

There’s a reason why the SAT focuses on reading and math. Reading comprehension, critical thinking, logical problem solving, and the ability to write effectively are vital to academic and professional success. Thank you for the reminder.

I teared up today when I saw a traffic jam going into the local polling place. Small towns like ours just don’t ever have traffic jams. No one was complaining, and everyone was being helpful in the HUGE crowd. Those I heard later in the day who, “didn’t know who to vote for,” so therefore didn’t vote at all, just irk me. Educate yourself! Look up the issues! You’ve had how many months now to read-up, study and form an opinion? I feel these same know-nothings come up short in other educational areas as well as politics. Great post!Leslie Anne Tarabella recently posted…Politics-Free Zone

Your words hearken back to days I knew in school, when a reverence and appreciation for our standing as the greatest nation on earth was part and parcel. That was a day when citizens would work on the most basic levels to affect change, not just protest and demand. We must trust the process and vow to do our part, regardless of party affiliation. Well said, my friend.

Are you sure you weren’t a teacher?? Seriously, this is an excellent breakdown of the varied subject matter we’re exposed to in our country and why we study each one. I can’t fathom life without education! I always loved school and every career I’ve had has offered me the opportunity for even more education. Our nation truly is a work in progress!Debbie recently posted…Election Day 2016